DCU Comic Book Reviews

BIRDS OF PREY #96

Headhunt Part One:  Through the Shards of a Looking Glass

September 2006

Written by Gail Simone

Pencils by Paulo Sequeira

Inks by Robin Riggs

Cover by Jerry Ordway

Synopsis

After breakfast, Barbara Gordon (aka Oracle) and the Birds of Prey visit a small memorial for Ted Kord (aka Blue beetle).  Barbara suggests that something else should be done in memory of their fallen comrade.  In Dayton, Ohio, Lori Zechlin (aka Black Alice) is being followed by Talia al Ghul, who wants to recruit her for the Society.  In Metropolis, Oracle gets wind of the Society and sends the rest of the team to investigate while she attends to other business.  Meanwhile, Talia learns that the Birds of Prey are headed for Dayton.  Talia firsts visits with Alice’s father and then later visits Black Alice at her home.  Talia convinces Alice that others are coming for here, specifically the Birds of Prey.  Black Alice attacks the Birds, eventually putting Black Canary in a noose.  In Gotham City, a couple is mugged, but they are saved by the reappearance of Batgirl!

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

“Remind me never to share my feelings with you two evil harpies ever again.  Plus, you both have filthy minds and out to be ashamed.”

It is a credit to Simone’s writing that she is able to continue the previous story arc and start at least three additional story lines without making the issue seemed forced and overloaded.  The beginning with the women eating breakfast was a nice sequence, especially with Sin eating her first pancakes.  It is nice to see that the little girl has not been forgotten, at least momentarily.  Plus, it was weird seeing the women out of their “costumes” and in regular clothing, or Barbara moving around in her wheelchair.  So often she is sitting in front of a computer and not moving that it is easy to forget that she is indeed in a wheelchair.  I am not that keen on a memorial for Blue Beetle or Ted Kord, but I am curious to see what she has in mind. 

The sequence with Black Alice was actually the least interesting aspect of this story.  It picks up from previous issues, as well as her appearance in Day Of Vengeance.  I am not all that sold on Alice as a character and her brief battle did little to make me like her, mostly because I know BoP will find a way to get out the mess they are in.  I am more interested in the battle between Calculator and Oracle than Felix Faust or Cheetah with the BoP.  I am hoping that Oracle realized the Calculator set her up and is off getting back-up (maybe Detective Chimp?)

The ending to this issue is the most intriguing part, but since it does not reveal much, it is difficult to speculate too much at this point.  About the only thing I can believe is that DC executives have stated several times that Barbara will remain disabled and will not learn how to walk, much less patrol the streets as Batgirl.  So, we will have to see if this is a hologram like Star Trek or someone who is being trained by Barbara or something else entirely.  I do think, regardless, that if Batgirl is patrolling Gotham, Commissioner Gordon or even Batman and Robin should get involved.

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